GLENN RICHARD “J.P. FLYWHEEL” GENSEAL

Glenn “J.P. Flywheel” Genseal

Glenn Richard “J.P. Flywheel” Genseal, 84, of Greenview died Feb. 19, 2022, at Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.

He was born July 13, 1937, in Pekin, a son of Glen Genseal and Veta Wrestler Genseal Heffren. He and the former Eleanor Hart of Astoria were married on April 26, 1957. They eloped with another couple to Palmyra, Mo. Eleanor rode the bus to and from school that day to keep the marriage confidential. She survives in Greenview.

Also surviving are four children, Kim Ellen Kirchner of Springfield (John Andrew), Tracy (and Mike) Johnson of Chandlerville, Jay (and Heidi) Genseal of Yorkville and Shelly (and Gregory) Roat of Athens; two brothers, Ronald Heffren of Eureka and Randy Genseal of San Antonio, Texas; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepparents and many beloved family members and friends.

He was raised in Canton and on the Genseal farm near Astoria.

He joined the United States Marine Corps and honorably served during the Korean War. His love for his country ran deep. He authored a poem entitled, “My Brave Young Men” that is displayed on the Korean War Memorial in Springfield at Oak Ridge Cemetery and he also wrote the lyrics of the 1968 song, “Pueblo” in honor of the USS Pueblo hostage crisis.

He was a barber in Central Illinois for over 50 years, most recently in Chandlerville and Greenview. He was an auctioneer, entertainer and emcee well known as J.P. Flywheel. He entertained with some of the best at the IL Country Opry, county fairs, fundraisers and local celebrations. He emceed the Chandlerville Burgoo for over 30 years. He was honored as citizen of the year in 1980 in Chandlerville.

He served as the village barber, water commissioner, street commissioner, dog catcher and grave digger. He was a member of Chandlerville American Legion #694. He coached basketball and did so for Illini Central Girls Junior High Basketball and the Gym Rats, a heavily recruited boys traveling team.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Chandlerville Improvement Council in care of Colwell Memorial Home, 515 S. State St., Beardstown, IL 62618.

Condolences may be sent to www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook, Colwell Memorial Home.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 2/23/2022